Grandpa Stops a War: A Paul Robeson Story

“It takes a man of peace to stop a war.”

The true story of Paul Robeson’s visit to the front lines of the Spanish Civil War is a tale of courage and activism told by his granddaughter, Susan Robeson. Grandpa Paul was a world-famous actor and singer with a deep and rumbling voice, a man of peace and principle who worried about the safety of children and families living in countries at war. He wanted to use his voice to promote social justice all over the world.

Though people warned Grandpa Paul that it was too dangerous, he traveled with his friend Captain Fernando to the battlefields of the Spanish Civil War to sing to the soldiers. And then something amazing happened…

With gorgeous illustrations from fine artist Rod Brown, Grandpa Stops a War celebrates Paul Robeson’s global activism and towering achievements, and shows readers the power of music in times of discord and war.

An author’s note helps readers learn more about the author’s personal experience growing up in the Robeson family and provides parents, teachers, and librarians with in-depth material to expand the reader’s understanding of the war and Robeson as a champion of civil rights, global freedom, and world peace.